Bella staggered awkwardly along the carriage, throwing an arm out along the window to steady herself; the train rolling over a particularly rough part of track. It was ridiculous that they had to ride a train to school— it was no doubt due to make the mudbloods feel more at ease as they were starting their journey in the magical world, and Bella couldn't help but think it had to have been Dumbledore's doing. He did have a soft spot for mudbloods, which was no secret.
Bella surreptitiously looked over her shoulder at each passing carriage, trying to find an empty one. A particularly rowdy boy, which Bella assumed to be a first year, was leaning into a carriage, talking loudly, when he suddenly pushed off and out right as Bella was behind. He turned to her, about to say something, but upon looking up and seeing Bella's murderous glare had apparently thought better of it. He ducked back into the carriage and slammed the door's shut, looking down and whispering to the other occupants. The kid's looked and stared through the window, and Bella hastily took off down the train.
It made her realise how little she had to do with boisterous kids growing up— before Sirius and Regulus had been born, she was presumed to be the next heiress of the Black name and fortune.
She was responsible. You are to uphold the noble house of Black.
They were in Grimmauld Place. Father had an important meeting with Orion, they'd be discussing important matters. They were in the drawing room, and they were not to be disturbed. Stay on the first floor. Do not make a sound.
There was a sudden crash from the study, Bella's head shooting up in alarm, pulling her from her book. She had stopped watching them for ten seconds…
"Bella, Bella!" Andy squealed in a panic stricken voice. "Bella, Bella! Please come, please come!"
Bella left the guest bedroom in a worry. There was a wail, Cissy now balling in the distance. Bella quickened her pace, stopping at the door of the study and her eyes widened. A vase had dropped from a stand, the red wilted roses now lying between shattered remains of glass.
"What happened, Andy? Quiet, Cissy!" Bella hissed, coming over to stand in front of her.
"Well, it was… it was…Cissy did it!" Andy screamed, pointing at her. Cissy had calmed at Bella's instruction, shaking her head no, pointing accusingly at Andy.
Bella shot a worried look over her shoulder and out the door. "Keep your voice down, Andy!" Bella angrily whispered. "What really happened?"
"Well, I was spinning Cissy around and then… and then— she knocked it."
Bella's heart was pounding. "How many times have I told you not to do that? Why don't you ever listen?" Bella said frustratedly. She bent down, pushing the broken shards into a pile. If she was lucky, she could hide it. Hopefully they didn't hear…
"Get up off the floor, child." A woman said calmly. Bella knew better— she was angry.
"Mother, I—"
"Shut up!" screamed Druella. She approached Bella, standing in front of her. Cissy and Andy backed into a corner, fearful looks on their faces. They didn't make a sound.
"What happened?" her voice was level now, but her breath could douse a fire. "What is this mess?"
"Well, Andy was spinning Cissy, and—"
Bella's head recoiled from the slap. A part of her knew it was coming, but it had been so sudden she had missed the queues.
"I'll ask again: what happened?"
"I stopped watching them for ten seconds, then Andy—"
Bella's body crumpled to the floor, stars now lacing her vision. That had been one of the hardest slaps she'd ever received from her mother. She hastily stood, not daring to sob or let a tear run down her red, burning cheek. Her knees wobbled and vision spun.
"I'll ask again: what happened?"
"It was my fault, mother," Bella said, looking down at the floor.
"Look at me when I'm talking to you!"
Bella raised her wet eyes. "I wasn't watching them. It's my fault that it happened."
There was a long silence. Bella dared not break eye contact. Druella raised her right arm, and Bella closed her eyes instinctively. It never came, so Bella risked a peek. There was a finger pointing at her menacingly.
"How many times have I told you you're responsible for them?"
"Many times, mother."
"And how many times have I told you you're the eldest of the Black offspring— that you are the next heriess of the Black line— that you are to uphold the noble house of Black?"
"Many times, mother."
"Then act like it!"
Bella nearly passed the empty carriage, her mind still fuzzy from the memory. She sat, heaving a sigh, her eyelids heavy from her morning venture. In Hogwarts, even after the two heir's Sirius and Regulus were born and therefore taking over her duty as the heiress, her early disciplining as a child had made her stay true to her upbringing. When other children were having fun she'd scold them. When other children went to hogsmeade or played quidditch she would sit and study. When the Dark Lord had preached ancient Black values, promising power and eternal glory…
They were the reason she made her previous life choices. They had unknowingly sent her down the path she had chosen, but they never took responsibility.
Well she wasn't a Black anymore. She'd need to be more careful, and she'd need to act… somewhat normal— especially if she were to get Potter's allegiance. It wouldn't be easy.
The rumbling of the wheels along the tracks created a sound that surprisingly made it easy to relax. That, coupled with the constant pitter patter of rain on the window, was making it hard to keep her eyes open.
There was a click, the mechanism of the door handle giving way, then the door slid open gently. Bella's eyes were torn from the window and suddenly wide open, now staring at a tall scrawny boy who stood in the doorway awkwardly looking at Bella. "Hello, mind if I sit here?"
Yes I do, Bella thought. "No."
He sat on the opposite bench, staring at her inquisitively. His head slanted and his mouth opened, then it closed, apparently thinking of something to say. Bella averted her gaze back to the window, observing rain. He would get the message.
He didn't. "I've never seen you before, what year are you in?"
Bella sighed, body slumping further into the seat. "Fourth."
"That can't be right— I'd— I'd know you."
"I'm new."
"Oh— oh right. Well, welcome to Hogwarts, then."
Bella dared not look away from the rain. She'd left the statement unanswered— he would get the message and shut up.
"Are you a muggle-born?"
Bella resisted the urge to scoff. Her— a filthy mudblood? "No."
"Sorry— I just couldn't help noticing your clothes. I meant no offence."
Bella tore her gaze from the window, looking down at her jeans and blouse. She'd forgotten about changing, in such a rush to catch the train.
"I like their clothes," Bella replied curtly.
"I do too— they look so comfortable. But my gran would never let me wear them."
He was wearing a grey, floor length robe. The material looked expensive. He had to be a pureblood. The family seal on his robe looked very familiar, but she couldn't quite place it.
"Did you want me to tell you a little about Hogwarts?"
"Not really," Bella replied. Upon seeing the boy's weird look, she continued: "I'd like to leave it a surprise."
His face turned to understanding. "Yeah, you'll love it. Hogwarts is amazing."
Bella hummed in agreement.
"What house do you want to be in?" he asked interestedly.
It was an interesting question, one she hadn't thought about yet. Her preference was of course Slytherin, but considering the circumstances, she reasoned that it wouldn't be easy to win over the boy who lived with green and silver. Any house but Slytherin would work, but it would be easier in—
"Gryffindor."
The boy's eyes lit up. "Oh, cool! I'm in Gryffindor too, fourth year. Maybe I can show you around?"
Bella nodded.
"Oh, where are my manners?" the boy said, holding his hand out. "My name's Neville. Neville Longbottom."
And suddenly Bella knew why the crest looked so familiar. Neville Longbottom, son of Frank and Alice longbottom. The very Auror's she had tortured. The memory was now at the forefront of her mind.
"What's your name?"
Usually Bella could recall the memory with indifference, suppressing it from her mind. Usually it wouldn't affect her— she had seen Longbottom at the Department of mysteries, cruelly thinking about how she had made him an orphan— then again, her mind was screwed from Azkaban…
"It's Bella White." Bella answered, trying to distract herself from the memory.
Neville pulled his hand back, looked to the roof of the carriage and laughed. Bella, in a moment of rage, angrily stood to her feet, wand in her hand.
"You think my name's funny?" Bella hissed, eyes murderous.
Neville's face went from good natured shock, to confusion— then his eyes traced down her arm to her wand. His eyes were now panicked and fearful.
The memory rushed back in an instant.
"Please, I don't know anything. Please!"
They were in the cold and dark basement of the Lestrange's ancestral home. Barty had suggested they try Alice, as Frank had been largely unhelpful. Barty told them she would know, just like he told them Frank would know.
"Bella, you know this is useless. We should run, you know the other captured death eater's will sing," Rabastan whispered, as to not let Rodolphus or Barty hear. "It's only a matter of time before we're discovered."
"You would do well to hold your tongue, Rabastan. What is it you're trying to suggest?" Bella whispered back. "That we abandon the Dark Lord?"
"The Dark Lord is finished!" Rabastan hissed. "We should run!" his eyes darted around to Rodolphus and Barty, but they hadn't heard. "He was bested by an infant, Bella. You heard what the girl said."
If the Ministry were to believed, the Dark Lord had been killed, he had been killed by the Potter boy— but that couldn't be true. Bella had refused to believe it. Then Frank had eventually let slip they hadn't found a body, that the Dark Lord was missing. Frank didn't last long after that.
"The Dark Lord shall reward us for our loyalty, Rabastan. You dare suggest we abandon him?"
"I ask you this, Bella: would the Dark Lord do the same for you?"
It hit a nerve in Bella, because deep down she knew he wouldn't. But Bella's mind refused to believe it. He would reward them for their loyalty, he would welcome them with open arms. She was his most loyal. Her loyalty had never wavered.
She didn't have any other options. Either they reunited with the Dark Lord or they were captured. The Dark Lord would never welcome her if she ran. He would strike her down, kill her for her betrayal. If the Ministry got hold of them…
The Ministry would never stop looking for them. Not after what Barty had done to the Auror Frank and now they had kidnapped his Auror wife…
Bella composed herself, taking a deep breath, looking at Rabastan murderously. "He will reward us greatly! The Dark Lord would never abandon us— he will welcome us with open arms! Our loyalty never wavered!" Bella repeated, desperately.
Rabastan had stopped fiddling with his wand. He took a big, heaving sigh, the worry on his face disappearing. He slowly slumped against the wall, resting on his backside. He looked up at Bella with resignation. "Then we shall be captured, Bella. We shall face Wizengamot and pay for our crimes."
"Then he will rescue us! He will rescue us when he's at full strength!"
Rabastan sent Bella a sad smile, looking up at her through his eyelashes. "If I can't get you to see reason, Bella," he gestured to Barty and Rodolphus, then turned back to her. "Then we're doomed."
"Don't you understand, Rabastan?" Bella said desperately. "We have no other options!"
"There's always another option, Bella. If you could go back, would you do it all again?"
"Of course. I will always be faithful!" Bella screamed. She didn't care if Barty or Rodolphus heard now— Rabastan was a traitor.
"You lie, Bella. I just hope one day… one day you realise."
Bella growled, turning to Alice. Barty and Rodolphus had obviously been listening in.
"Oh, has Bella come out to play?" Barty mocked.
"Don't do it, my love."
Bella stalked towards Alice. They both parted. Her footsteps echoed in the cavernous dungeon. Alice looked up.
"Crucio!" Bella cried, her wand pointing at Alice menacingly.
"Please, please, please," the woman whimpered, her knees huddled to her chest.
"Bella, my love," said Rodolphus. He came to her side, pulling her wand away, breaking the curse. Bella turned to him menacingly, her eyes blazing. "You know she can't take anymore torture. She will be useless. Remember Frank?"
She had been the one to tell Barty to stop torturing Frank. That he would be useless, his mind would turn. He was a pureblood, they should obliviate him and leave before causing permanent damage. Barty hadn't listened. He never listened.
Bella spun, tearing her arm from his grasp. He stumbled backwards, and Bella raised her wand and banished him back towards the wall. He landed with a thud, his body crumpling at the base.
"Oh yes, Bella!" screamed Barty. His mouth was open, grinning ferally, his teeth bared like a hungry wolf. "Bella has come out to play, finally!"
"Bella, think!" Rabastan shouted.
"Shut up, traitor!" Barty yelled. "Bella will get it out of her, won't you, Bella? Make— her— pay!"
"Where is the Dark Lord?"
Alice didn't react to the cruciatus curse this time. Her grip around her knees tightened, her legs locked to her chest.
"Where is the Dark Lord?"
"I don't know!"
"Where is he?"
"Please. Please— I don't know."
"Where is he?"
"Please… Bellatrix…"
"WHERE IS HE?"
Alice didn't answer. Her hands slipped from around her knees, her body starting to go limp.
"Bella! Bella!" she heard from behind her. It was Rabastan— or was it Barty? She didn't care. Time had slowed. She didn't know how long she held it.
"Bella, stop. Bella!"
Her ears were full. The cries of her name sounded distant, as if they were being muffled through a layer of glass.
Alice's hands fell limply to her sides. She fell back with a thud, her body now lying down along the jagged cobblestones. Bella followed her. She never let go.
"Expelliarmus! Stupefy!"
Bella's wand was ripped from her grasp. Her body locked up, her face hitting the cobblestones. There was talking; it was muffled. People were pouring in now, footsteps echoing all around her.
"Bellatrix Lestrange. You're under arrest!"
Alice's face was inches from hers. She didn't move. Her eyes were wide, distant and locked in permanent fear. Then everything was black.
"Alice, no! Alice!"
"Bella?" asked Longbottom, worriedly.
The wand fell from her grasp, clattering on the floor of the carriage. She hastily picked it up and fell back on the seat opposite him, looking at the floor.
"I meant no offence, r— real— really! It's just… there's a fanatical group here, I'm not sure you know, they're called Death eater's." said Longbottom. "They tortured my parents to insanity."
His voice had suddenly become even, now determined. His mumble and obvious speech impediment was now gone.
There was a long pause before he spoke again. "Well anyway, there was one…her name was… Bellatrix Lestrange… formally Black."
He waved at Bella. She looked up. "Bella White… Bella Black. Quite similar… and quite funny."
Bella did not laugh, instead finding a spot on the carpet quite interesting. For some reason, she found it hard to look this boy in the eye. Did she feel remorse for what she did?
Impossible.
"Anyway… I might head off… it was nice meeting you, Bella." Bella heard him stand and leave, the door clicking shut behind him.
Bella threw her head back against the seat.
It was going to be a long first day.
The rest of the train ride had been thankfully uninterrupted. When the little rays of light that pierced the rain laden sky had vanished, replaced with darkness, Bella changed into her school robes.
Bella watched through the window, well, the little she could see, as students filed out and onto the platform in the pouring rain. After her run in with Longbottom, Bella had zero desire for any further interaction tonight. When she was sure the last of the students had left, Bella waited five minutes then made a mad dash for the— thankfully, covered carriages.
The rain had pierced her robe, and Bella shook out her robes annoyingly as the thestral pulled her towards the castle. She couldn't remember when they taught the drying charm in the Hogwarts curriculum.
The mad dash to the castle had soaked her down to her underthings. The other students would no doubt be soaked, so Bella chose to leave it so as to not stand out.
She heaved a sigh when she was in the castle, bringing her hood down and wringing out her hair. The Longbottom boy had made an interesting point. Bella inwardly cursed as she walked towards the great hall. Her name was similar, very similar to her previous self.
It's not something she could have changed, anyway, with Dumbledore enrolling her under the name of White. A cover story would have to be made… but as usual, she'd make it up as she went.
The only plus, Bella supposed, as she was nearing the doors of the Great Hall, was that secrets were never kept long at Hogwarts. She knew that from her years here, kids were such gossips. What better way than to hide in plain sight?
A line of first years were gathered in two files outside of the large wooden doors. At the very top, eyes scanning a roll of parchment behind her magnified spectacles, was Professor McGonagall. She looked up at the sound of Bella's footsteps, and Bella felt her body shiver— not from the cold. It was all starting to get real now. Professor McGonagall was the first person she had met who had the potential to recognise her.
"Bella White, is it? McGonagall asked, causing every single first year to turn around and gawk at her.
"Yes, Professor. Sorry, I got lost." Bella glared at the first years. Most of them had decided to turn away in fright, apart from one redheaded first year closest to her. His robes were so soaked water was puddling under his feet and running down the stairs.
McGonagall raised an eyebrow. "Well, no matter. As I was saying, first years, wait here, I'll call you in shortly. Miss White, you remain here."
"Hi!"
Bella put on her best glare. The redheaded boy was obviously unaffected.
"Name's Dennis. Dennis Creevey!" he said, raising a sopping hand out to greet her. Bella resisted the urge to bat it away in annoyance.
"Anyway, I'm a first year here. My brother is here, too— in Gryffindor. Nice to meet you, Bella."
"How nice." Bella replied indifferently.
"Yeah, first two muggle-borns in the family. Sure was a shock to the parents!"
The boy, obviously seeing her reluctance, continued: "anyway… you're only starting now?"
Bella raised her head, averting eye contact with the boy in annoyance. Her eyes met McGonagall's who had returned and was watching the interaction curiously.
"First years, single file down the aisle. Miss White, a word?" said McGonnagal, waiting at the doors.
'Miss White. I'm Professor McGonagall, deputy headmistress and a teacher here. Welcome to Hogwarts."
"Charmed," Bella replied.
"I must say I found it quite a surprise when Dumbledore told me we'd be housing a transfer student this year."
Bella found it odd as well, but she would never voice it. Her heart was starting to pound in her chest.
"From what school, if you don't mind me asking?"
And he so obviously had not told her a thing. Of course he didn't— was it too much that the old fool made up a story for her?
"No one school in particular, mostly… self taught." Bella replied.
"Self taught?" McGonagall questioned oddly.
"Yes," Bella said firmly. "Self taught."
McGonagall was silent for a long time. Her head shifted from peering through the gap of the Great Hall's doors and scrutinising Bella several times.
"Well… I hope you keep up with your studies this year. Are you sure you can handle the workload?"
"I've read. I'll be fine, Professor."
McGonagall opened the door slightly and walked through. A round of applause finished, then the chitter chatter of the Great Hall fell silent, the fast, rhythmic beating of her heart somehow reaching her ears.
McGonagall's head peaked through the door's and waved her in. "If you would, please."
The walk to the podium was as Bella expected. Every single student on all four tables turned their heads and looked at her in astonishment. Bella set her eyes forward and marched through the silence, only taking a second to look up at the charmed ceiling as a bolt of lightning tore across the gloomy grey clouded sky.
"Miss… White." Dumbledore greeted, catching her eyes when she reached him. "How nice it is to house the first transfer student Hogwarts has seen in many, many years."
Whispers echoed around the hall. A shiver ran down her spine, the sudden wobble in her knees nearly making her stumble on the spot.
"I'm sure," Dumbledore said, turning towards the students. "That you'll give a warm welcome to Miss White, whichever house just so happens to choose her. She'll be starting her fourth year."
Dumbledore gestured to the unstable three legged stool beside her. "If you would, Miss White."
Bella, with as much poise as she could muster, sat on the chair, pulled her knees together, straightened her back and surveyed the Great Hall. She scanned the four houses' tables; every student stared at her in wonder. The sorting hat was placed on her head, the familiar voice encompassing her mind.
"Ahh, now this is interesting. The great Bellatrix Black has returned."
"Put me in Gryffindor," Bella willed.
"My my, a time-traveller, to boot! You didn't wreak enough havoc the first time around?"
"Listen, hat-"
"Why did you come back?"
"It was an accident, you idiot." Bella thought furiously.
"What you did was no accident. You're lying to yourself."
"I had no idea-"
"You may not have known what it was, but it wouldn't have worked had you not willed it so. Yes… your mind's made up."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Your plan is brave; cunning. It will be dangerous."
"Put me in Gryffindor."
"I sense… loyalty and… bravery. Interesting, very interesting."
"I am loyal to no one but myself."
"And she wants Gryffindor…"
"Gryffindor," thought Bella. She focused her eyes on Potter at the Gryffindor table, his bespectacled eyes staring at her inquisitively.
"United they stand."
"What?"
"Slytherin!" the hat boomed.
There was scattered applause. Potter turned back to his plate, saying something to his Gryffindor cohorts. With an inward curse, Bella awkwardly stood from the rickety stool and composed herself, walking as confidently as she could down the aisle between the wall and the table. She briefly noted passing her nephew Draco, who eyed her with curiosity as she passed.
Bella strode through the silence. Two girls pushed away from one another half way down the table creating a space between them. Bella sat at the invitation. They looked like fourth years.
Dumbledore continued to make announcements. Bella tuned him out.
"Are you really a transfer student?" the brown haired girl asked.
"Yes," Bella whispered back, hotly. Did she not hear the old fool?
"Ignore Tracey," the Blonde girl said. "I'm Daphne; Daphne Greengrass. She's Tracey Davis."
"Charmed," Bella replied, eyeing the bread rolls.
Slytherin would be a problem. The start of every plan she had made in her mind consisted of her being in any other house. But it shouldn't be an issue, Bella thought. Slytherin and Gryffindor were obviously strong rivals, but it wasn't like they hated each other. Just more… good natured ribbing.
The feast had obviously ended because Dumbledore started to make announcements; Bella decided it was worth more of her time to idly twirl a pudding around her plate with a fork.
The idiot Moody made quite an entrance, his awkward walk to the staff table making Bella quietly chuckle through the silence. Every student eyed the loony ex-Auror with absolute wonder. Bella stared at him with disdain. Another thorn in her side.
The TriWizard tournament was a shock to Bella, one she had so obviously forgotten about. It was discussed with hushed whispers during her time as a Death Eater when she was liberated from Azkaban. It was obviously significant in some way to the return of the Dark Lord, but Bella was too busy kneeling at the Dark Lord's feet to gossip.
No matter— now that she knew it was the TriWizard tournament, it was getting Potter's trust… and working out how this supposed tournament somehow helped to bring forth the Dark Lord.
"Did you want us to show you to the common room?" Bella heard Daphne ask.
"Sure." Bella replied reluctantly, shifting her gaze towards Draco. A boy whispered something to him, and his eyes suddenly met hers. Another thorn in her side.
"Pay him no mind, Bella;" Tracey whispered in her ear. "He's a bit of a turd."
"Tracey!" Daphne whispered furiously. Bella grinned.
The pair led Bella, who had to catch herself several times not to lead the pair, to the dungeons and they all watched as the giant snake unfurled and bared a large bronze door.
"Pureblood," Daphne said. The large door creaked as it swung open.
"Pureblood?" Bella questioned.
"It rarely ever changes. Since You Know Who." Daphne replied.
"There's only four girls in our year," said Daphne, as they approached the girls dormitory. "Well, five now. So you can either bunk with us or Pansy and Millicent. I'd suggest with us for your sanity."
Bella nodded and followed them into the room and sat down on a free bed. Her tiny bag magically appeared at the foot.
"Why Pureblood?" Bella questioned.
Tracey stared at Daphne before replying. "Well… Since You Know Who's return, Slytherin serves as sort of a gateway to… followers, I suppose."
"Gateway?" Bella said, scrunching up her face. "So… everyones…" Bella let her sentence trail off, the implied meaning looming in the air.
When Tracey had caught on, her eyes went wide and she shook her head. "Oh… no!" she said, gesturing between Daphne and herself. "No. Not all the house. Well hardly any, really. Mainly those affiliated with Draco."
"Draco?" Bella asked, feigning surprise. It made sense. Nott, Crabbe and Goyle were death eaters, their son's were most likely attending Hogwarts and following in their footsteps. At the table, several boys sat around Draco, hanging on his every word. He was obviously a ring leader within the house.
"Is Slytherin… well liked?" Bella asked, fearing their answer. Was her potential to ally with Potter going to be impossible?
Tracey turned to Daphne, the girls sharking a knowing look between them. By the end, Daphne was shaking her head. Tracey obviously ignored her. "Well…Draco… he…"
"Know much about You Know Who?" Daphne interrupted Tracey. Daphne sent a look to Tracey that clearly meant 'no.'
"I've heard some stories," Bella replied mysteriously.
"So… Where are you from— what school did you come from?" Tracey asked.
"I—" Bella was cut off by the sound of the door being opened. The greasy black hair Bella would recognise anywhere. Snape entered, with absolutely no regard for their privacy. He surveyed the room, his black, soulless eyes eventually resting on Bella.
"Miss White. A word?"
"Sure…"
"Professor Snape. Head of Slytherin," he replied curtly.
"Sure, Professor Snape," Bella replied, walking out the door and hearing it close behind her.
Snape took off at a brisk pace and Bella had to almost run to keep up with his long strides, his robe billowing behind him in earnest. They walked up so many flights of stairs of the Grand Staircase Bella's legs were burning by the trophy room. When they passed the middle of the room, Bella was almost sure she was compromised.
"Is something wrong, Professor?" Bella asked as she stopped, her right hand hovering over her robe pocket that housed her wand.
Snape stopped dead in his tracks. He turned so suddenly Bella nearly drew her wand. "No. The headmaster wishes to speak with you."
So this is where the headmaster's office was, Bella thought, as they climbed another flight of stairs and reached a large alcove housing an oddly placed stone gargoyle. Snape stopped in front of it, Bella nearly running into the back of him. Bella brought a hand up to her neck, making sure her pendant was hidden. It was something she had largely forgotten about, but if anyone were to possibly link an explanation for her sudden appearance, it would be Dumbledore.
"Cockroach clusters."
The gargoyle started to spin, stairs following its ascent from the floor until a spiral staircase led to an obviously hidden room. Cockroach clusters were a horribly delicious treat… the only caveat, they were made from cockroaches. Most chose to ignore that tiny detail when eating them. It was definitely a weird password for the Headmaster's office.
"The Headmaster is expecting your arrival," Snape said, then turned and left the way they had come from.
The room was not as grand as Bella expected. The entrance hall opened to a circular room, covered in moving portraits, two stairways that led to an upper floor, and nestled in between them a desk in which Dumbledore sat staring at her. He gestured for her to sit in the chair opposite.
"Miss White. Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts. I do apologise for pulling you from your dormitory at such a late hour," he said, lowering his chin and peering over his half moon spectacles.
"Headmaster. Is there a reason you've summoned me?" Bella questioned. She was glad he couldn't see her hands in her lap, which she wringed in nervousness.
"Yes…" Dumbledore said, leaning back in his chair. "I wanted to welcome you to Hogwarts."
"Thank you." Bella replied evenly.
"I hope it's not too forward of me to ask… But where exactly did you come from, Miss White?"
A part of her knew it was coming, but it still made her body tremble in surprise. Bella started to bounce her knees, trying to prevent her body from any more unnecessary movements.
"I was hoping you could tell me, Headmaster."
Dumbledore brought his hands together, resting his elbows on the desk and intertwining his fingers. He stared at her behind his clasped hands.
"I must admit, Professor McGonagall received quite the surprise when I told her there'd be a fourth year transfer student attending Hogwarts this year."
Bella forced a smile at his answer. She hoped it didn't look as strained as it felt. So he admitted he was the mastermind behind it, but would he admit how he knew?
"And how did you know, Headmaster?"
"I know all the magical children within the Hogwarts enrollment line, Miss White. Especially the ones who are not currently enrolled."
"How?" Bella probed.
Dumbledore smiled. "Magic."
Bella sat back, her body starting to relax. Dumbledore was obviously playing some sort of mind game, and Bella was starting to enjoy it. His fishing indicated he knew nothing.
"Are you a muggle-born?" Dumbledore questioned, making Bella's body tense in surprise. "Please excuse the straightforward nature of my question, Miss White, but I couldn't help but notice your muggle address."
Revealing herself as a muggle-born would be the easiest option. It was a straightforward story, one that was believable given her address and intimate knowledge of muggle knowhow and attire. It would also serve to bridge the gap between herself and the muggle-lover Potter, especially now that the idiot hat put her in Slytherin house. But Tracey and Daphne's word's from earlier, coupled with the password for the door, would be enough to make her an outcast within her own house. It was something that Bella definitely didn't need right now. Also— even with how easy it would be, Bella could not bring herself to say she was a mudblood.
"Half-blood," Bella replied cautiously. Upon his questioning stare, she continued: "An orphan, living with muggle's who've adopted me."
"An orphan, you say?" Dumbledore said inquisitively.
"I don't know my parents," Bella blurted out. She resisted the urge to pinch herself at her statement. "Well I do, but… not intimately."
"Don't know your parents but do, adopted by muggles and a half-blood. How interesting."
Bella wished she could melt into the chair. Dumbledore had the front foot now.
"Have you attended a magical school at all, Miss White?" Dumbledore asked. "Will you be able to keep up with the curriculum?"
"Mostly self taught." Bella said, leaving the meaning of the statement open to interpretation. "I think you'll find I'll keep up quite well."
"I'm sure you will, Miss White." Dumbledore said, dropping his hands to his lap and leaning back in his chair. "I'm sure you will."
"May I go?" Bella asked.
"Ahh yes, my apologies. It is quite late, you must be tired from your long journey aboard the Hogwarts Express. And Miss White?" Dumbledore asked before she had stood from her chair. "I do hope you wouldn't mind if I schedule a meeting every so often, to check your progress over the year."
"If you insist," Bella replied.
"I'm sure you can find your way back?" Dumbledore asked. Bella nodded. "I'm sure Hogwarts will become familiar, given time."
"I'm sure it will, Headmaster."
Bella was nearly at the entry hall before Dumbledore called out again. "Is there anything you wish to tell me, Miss White?"
Bella paused, turning her head and calling out over her shoulder. "Nothing, Headmaster."
One thing was for certain, thought Bella, as she made her way back to the Slytherin common room.
Bella had been expecting answers. Instead… There were more questions.